MARION COUNTY — A 19-year-old Salem man, who had been held on $1 million bail since July 2019, was released Thursday from the Marion County Jail when charges against him were dropped.

Nathaniel A. Fink was charged with Class X felony aggravated battery by the discharge of a firearm and Class 1 felony aggravated discharge of a firearm at an occupied structure.

He was accused of shooting 20-year-old Alexander Russell in the abdomen as Russell stood outside his home in the 1100 block of West Elm in Salem. Russell reportedly told Salem police officers that Fink was the person who shot him, but has since been uncooperative and has refused to meet with police or give a statement.

Prosecutors had hoped that forensic evidence could tie Fink to the shooting, and while a firearm found near the shooting was found to be the weapon used, there were no clear fingerprints tying Fink to the weapon.

On Thursday, prosecutors filed a motion to nolle prosequi the case, which the court granted. Through a nolle prosse move, prosecutors can take up the same charges against the defendant later. This allows them to avoid a speedy trial clock and does not represent double jeopardy.

After Thursday’s ruling, Fink was released from jail.